Snap-out form separator



Nov. 27, 1956 F. J. SMITH 2,771,950

' mP-ou'r FORM SEPARATOR Filed'Aug. 6,, 1952 ii'fsheets sheqt 1 FI'GJ INVENTOR FREDERICK J SMITH Mj z w B ATQ'ORNEY Nov. 27, 1956 F. J. SMITH suA-P-ou'r FORM SEPARATOR ..F'iled Aug. 6. 1952 m% H w M 1 \w m E w W s K o K w; w. mm A D E F R r F a B a N 3 v m Q n n L n .5 Lu S w m $1 N. I a w ML a QR wmmml flA A F MT l m a E Nov. 27, 1956 F. J. SMITH SNAP-OUT FORM SEPARATOR Filed Aug. 6, 1952' 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 E EE FREDERI Nov. 27, 1956 F. J. SMITH 2,771,950

SNAP-OUT FORM sEPARA'roR File 92% 6. 1952 5 sheets-sheets w g F'IC39 I I; 5 I if lNVENT OR FREDERICK J. SMITH AT TOR E United States Patent SNAP-OUT FORM SEPARATOR Frederick J. Smith, Newington, Conn, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Anthony G. Warnes, West Hartford,

onn.

Application August 6, 1952, Serial No. 302,935

16 Claims. (Cl. 164-845) This invention relates to a device for separating form sheets from a group of interleaved form sheets and carbons attached at one end to a header, the assembled forms and carbons being commonly known as a snap-out form.

More particularly the invention relates to a device for effecting this snapping out or separating operation while the snap-out form, after being typed, i traversed through the device by suitable means, and after being clamped at one end, and having its opposite end brought into contact with rotating gripping rolls, the form sheets are severed from the assembled form sheets and carbons and ejected from one end of the device, the carbon sheets and header being simultaneously ejected from the opposite end by continued movement on said traversing means.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a compact, efiicient separating device for snapout forms or assemblies adapted for operating over a wide range of sizes and types of forms to separate snap-out forms into their component form sheets and header, with the interleaved carbon sheets still attached to the header.

Another object of the invention, after inserting the snap-out form into a suitable opening at one end of the device, is to advance the form by traversing means into contact against a stop, the position of which may be manually adjusted for different lengths of forms, first clamping the leading end of the form, then guiding the opposite end of the snap-out form so that its trailing edge will be brought into contact with rotating gripper rolls which will pull this end of the form while the front end is firmly gripped and separate the form sheets from the header and carbon sheets.

A feature of advantage of this separating device is that the clamping means for the leading edge of the as sem'bly comprise freely oscillatable members against which the upper surface of the leading edge of the form is brought by movement upward of a table, retrograde movement of the form by engagement of its trailing edge with the rotating rollers then serves to bind the oscillating members against the form sheets to securely clamp this forward edge until the table is moved downward.

Another object of advantage of the invention is that prior to the clamping of the leading end of the snap-out form the opposite or trailing end is bent into such a shape that the individual sheets will be fanned and the leading end clamped with the sheets in that position, so that when the trailing end is engaged by the gripping rollers, the sheets will be individually and successively severed. As soon as the bending or fanning operation has been completed, engagement of the forward end of the snap-out form between gripping members and the upper surf-ace of a vertically movable table is efiected and the opposite end is then guided into contact, while substantially in flat form, with the rotating gripper rollers to sever the form sheets from the header and carbons.

Another object of the invention is to coordinate the operation of the elements forming the movable members of the device in accordance with a predetermined auto- 2,771,950 Patented Nov. 27, 1956 matic cycle, preferably by successively operated cam actuated members, the cams being mounted on a single shaft which makes but one complete revolution for a complete cycle of operation of the machine so that the form, after having its parts separated by a single rotation of the cam shaft, will have the parts ejected and the rotation of the cam shaft stopped with the movable members in position to receive a new snap-out form.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention may include the features of construction and operation set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an outside perspective view of a snap-out form separating device made according to the present invention and shown enclosed within a suitable casing.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the operative mechanism of the device with the casing broken away.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 2 with the casing broken away and showing the mechanism in one of its operative positions.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the plane of line 44 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of portions of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4, the view being taken from the rear of the device.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the form sup-' porting table in its elevated position.

Figs. 7 and 8 are detail sectional views showing the oscillating gripping member on the carriage for clamping the forward edge of the snap'out form, the gripping members being shown in positions relative to the surface of the vertically movable form supporting table, the section being taken on the plane of line 77 in Fig. 4.

Figs. 9, 10, l1 and 12 show successively different rotative positions of the cam shaft and its cams and the relative positions of the operative members at difierent points during the rotation of the cam shaft and cycle of operation, and

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the electrical circuit for the clutch operating solenoid and the switches in the circuit operated by contact with the form being separated.

In the above mentioned drawings, there has been shown but one embodiment of the invention which is now deemed preferable, but it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Briefly, and in it preferred aspect, the invention may include the following principal parts: First, a frame supporting the operative parts of the device; second, traversing means for the form being operated on: third, a stop or abutment for the form adjustable for various lengths; fourth, gripping means mounted on the abutment for the advanced edge of the form; fi-fth, a vertically movable table for the form; sixth, closely adjacent constantly rotating rolls in the frame; and seventh, means to guide the trailing edge of the form between the rotating rollers.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, the form is placed within a guideway formed by upper and lower guide members at one end of the device and is advanced to travelling bands within the device with its free edges in the leading position. The header or trailing edge, after the leading free edge of the form is clamped, is guided into position to enter the space between adjacent rotating rollers and the header with the carbons attached thereto is ejected from the device 'by the rotation of the rollers. Movement of a table within the device upward efiEects engagement of the leading free edge of the form with the gripping members. Bending of the form just prior to the gripping action to fan the dorm sheets to facilitate severing and the guiding the as shown a in Figure 1.

trailing edge between the termined timed relation to each other and'will presently be described-more in detail. a 7

Referring more :in' detail to the-figures of the draw'in andifirst to Figs. .2 and -3;*it will beiseenathat :theiievi'ce comprises two side plates '10 suitably :fastened'rtogether by sti'eerods v12 so that :they 'will be .maintainediin spacedapart parallel vertical :positions. closingitheseiside'plates .10, which support thecperative mechanism of -:the device, is a casing comprising 'a platform 14 to which the side plates it) are fastened and on which is mounted a metal or other form .of cover 16 At one .end of the=cover '16 are fixed guiding members 18 and :19 above ;and below. a

suitable opening in .the .end of'the cover so that'the guideway and engage .a number ':of. parallel travelling bands v2t) forming a conveyor. Below this guideway. formed by the'guiding members '18'and 19 .is an opening 22 through which a portion of the snapped out form is ejected. At-the rear end :of the device is another-opening .24 through which the remaining parts of the form are "discharged. Immediately respectively below the openings 22 and 24 are guiding ledges 26 and 28 for the parts of the form 'W;

The movable bands 20 forming-the conveyorreferred to above for advancing the form W are continuously travelling in one direction and are driven by a driven roller 21 at one end of the device over which the bands 20 ;pass',. there being a freely rotatable adjustable takeup or supporting roller 23 at the opposite end of the device to-maintain-the bands 20 suitably tensioned. The means to continuously drive theroller 2.1.for the travelling bands-20 comprise a motor 25'the armature'of which hasnpull'ey 27 driving a pulley 30 at one end of a roll 32. At the opposite end of the roll 32 is a friction pulley. 3'4 engaging'a driven Ipulley 36 secured to the rollli over which the bands :20 pass and are driven.

When a snap-out form W has been inserted within theguideway between guide 18 and shelf 19 and moved' into position to rest on these travelling bands 20, its fiorward end will strike against vertically movable-abut ments 38 on a-longitudinally adjustable carriage 40. To aid in guiding the form W on to the bands 20 sideabutments 19a are 'provided .adjustably positioned laterally onthe guide 19 as required by the particular formbeing operated on. This advancing movement of theform when its forward end contacts .the abutments 8 engages its'upper-surfacewith the operating arm of .the firs't of two micro-switches '42 and closes a circuit, a second switch 44 in this circuit beyond the carriage being normally closed at this time. The circuit when closed by the form -W.passing under the:first switch42 and oscillating its lever, moves the armature of a solenoid 46 to disengage a detent 194 andpermit rotation of a cam shaft '48, This cam shaft 48 and its operative connections elongated longitudinally vextending screw 525s mounted forrotation within the frame and retained against endwise movement therein. For this purposeangle irons l-lseeured to the side plate l'tlare provided, there belng rollers are actuated .prede- :Surrounding and 'en- 7 bearingsin the member 11 for supportingitheopposite ends of the screw '52. The screw SZ-engagesanut 54 mounted infixed position withi-nthe .carriage -40 sothat rotationxof -.the;s'crew 52' adjusts 'the'position of the: carriage longitudinally along its supporting rods '50 .for different lengths of forms. To rotate the screw .52 1a "bevel' 'g'ear '56 :-.is secured thereto nation's end which meshes with .a corresponding gear .58 on .a transversely .eiitending shaft 60'm0unted within the frame. On the outer'end of this shaft is detachably attached a' small hand crank: 62. By rotation ofthe crank 62 the screw 52 may be rotated and the carriage 40 adjusted longitudinally in either direction within the frame for various lengths of snap-out 7 forms.

. On the rear face of .the carriage 40 are mounted the series of vertically slidable stops or abutments 38 .referred to above. These v.abutrnents are in the form of small plates having parallel slots extending vertically in their intermediate portions as seen in Figs. 5 and 6. Screws passing through these slots and entering the carriage member limit the upper and .lower positions'of the abutments 33; With a table 64 in its "lower position as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 9 and 12 and with the form W being advanced by the travelling bands 20, the leading edge of theiform will strike against these aligned abmmems-ss and stop further movement of the :form. The-vertically movable table jthen moves .upward by means presently to be :describedto contact the grippers 66 as seen :more.

particularly in Figs. 7 and 8. To permit'the table 6410 move upward to raise the tormfrom the bands 20 .slots areformed in .the'table .to receive the .bands 20,

The micro switches 42 and 44,.as showninFigs'. 92th 12,,are mounted on oppositefaces of the carriage 40 and their operating warms extend, as shown, to. positions adjacent the surfaceof the table .64.. Thefirstlswitch. 42 engaged bythe form! is normally .open and is closed bytheformpassing under it. Thesecond switch.44:is normally closed :so that with a form .inpposition on the travelling bands and with its forward edge against the abutments, the circuit is closed and the cycle of operations begins by rotation .of the cam shaft 43. As soon as thesnapped'portions of the formpass the .carriage40 Thefirst efiect of rotation of thiscam shaft 48 is to engage the lever 68 of a-parallel linkagesystem 70 with a 7 face cam 72 on the cam shaft '48 so that the table 64 .will

be raised above the plane of the travelling bands .20 by virtue 'of the slots. provided in the table for the bands tolsuch a -position that the forward edgeof the snap-out form W will be .directlybelow-fthe grippers 66 on the carriage 40 as shown in Figs. 9, l0 and 11.

Simultaneously with this upward movement of 'the platform-or table 64 toits position shown in Figs. 10 and llis an oscillatory movement of a portion of guide forming" members 74 and 76. This movement. is'eifectedvby a bell crank 78, one arm of which engagesa second cam on-the cam shaft .8 and the oppositevarm engages a reach arm 79' connected by -a small bell .crankand link tothemovableguides 74,;and 76. Aspring 83 normally retains :the bell crank :78 in contact with-its cam .89. Movement .of these guide members Hand 76 to theposition 'shown in -Fig. -10 bends the trailing edge .of the snap-out form W upward. As will be seen .in Figs. 9,

l1 and 12, the movable .guidezmenibeits Maud .are in alignment respectively with the fixed .guide..members 18 and .19. As -soon as this bending movement ofthe trailing end of the form hastakenplace the upwar'd movementof-the table 64- is completed and the grippers 66 pivotally mounted on the carriage -40 are moved to the .position shown in Fig.8 ready to clamp and restrain retrograde movement of the form W.

wiadjacent. its trailing end to withdraw "the trailing edge .ot.,the.form.from between the movable members "and 76 of the guideway. lWhen the trailing end the'form' V W is free from the movable guiding members 74 and 76, the arms or levers 82 are lowered, which permits the trailing end of the form to enter between gripper rolls 32 and 86. The upper roll 86 is driven by contact with roll 32 and is resiliently maintained in contact with the driven roll 32 by springs 88 at opposite ends of the roll 86.

Clamping of the forward edge of the form W by members 66 against the upper surface of the table 46 takes place while the arms 82 hold the trailing portions of the form in bent form as shown in Fig. ll. The forward edges form sheets are therefore fanned at the time they are gripped and the remaining parts separated by the rollers 32 and 86. These gripper rolls 32 and 86 are constantly rotated and force the separated portion of the snapout form toward the left, as seen in Figs. 9 to 12, as soon as the trailing edge of the form W is engaged between them.

The free or leading edges of the form sheets W are still held gripped between the oscillating gripper members 66 and the table 64 as the header and carbon sheets are separated from the form sheets by being pulled between the rotating rollers 32 and 86. The table 64 is then permitted to move to its lower position by the first cam 72 to free the leading edge of the form from the grippers 66 and again contact the form sheets with the travelling bands 20. These bands 20 then advance the separated form sheets, as shown in Fig. 12, toward the right. The header and carbon sheets being engaged by the gripping rollers 32 and 86 as they are being severed and are forced, as shown in this figure, toward the left.

When the table 64 reaches its uppermost position the stop plates or abutments 38 are locked in their upper position. For this purpose a transversely mounted plate 90 is provided on the upper surface of the carriage 40 so that it may have but limited movement. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. (which is a rear view) the plate 90 is held in its right-hand position by a finger 92 on the plate 90 engaging a movable abutment 94 at one end of the carriage 40. The table 64, as shown in this figure, is in its lower position. The abutment 94 is pivoted about a screw on the carriage shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and engages with a vertically movable headed bar 98 in the position shown in Fig. 5. The finger 92 engaged by this abutment 94 forces the plate 90 toward the right. As soon as the table 64 reaches its upper position the rod 98 on the carriage 40 is permitted'to rise to release the pivoted abutment 94 and permit a spring 100 to move the plate 90 to the left. This movement of the plate 90 engages projections thereon with notches in the sides of the vertical stop plates 38 so that the stop plates will be held in their upper position until the table 64 has moved to its lower position. As soon as the table 64 reaches its lower position the rod 98 is forced downward by its lower head engaging a bracket on the carriage to oscillate the pivoted abutment 94 and force return of the transversely movable plate 90 to its right-hand position against pressure of its spring 100. As soon as the transversely movable plate 90 is returned to its initial position, or right-hand position, the stops 38 can again drop to their lower position ready to abut against the next form W when advanced by the travelling bands 20.

The grippers 66 for the forward edge of the form W, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, are pivotally mounted on horizontal pins in the carriage 40. With the table 64 in its lower positions of its movement the grippers assume the position shown in Fig. 7 but as the table 64 reaches its uppermost position and the leading edge of the form W passes below the grippers 66 they are tilted to the position shown in Fig. 8. In this tilted position any retrograde movement of the form W tightly Wedges the form sheets between the grippers 66 and the surface of the table 64. As the grippers 66 engage the form sheets beyond the edges of the interleaved carbon sheets, the

header with the carbon sheets attached, after severing of the form sheets, are free to move to the left.

Fig. 9 shows the cams 72, and 84 and their actuated members in their respective positions as a form is being manually placed in the guideway between fixed guide members 18 and 19- and on to the travelling bands 20. Fig. 10 shows a second operative position in which the form W after having advanced to a position in which the forward end is engaged by the stops 38 on the adjustable carriage 40 and with the first or normally open switch 42 moved by the form passing below its lever to its circuit closing position. It is at this point in the movement of the form that the cycle of operation starts and that the table 64 begins its movement to its uppermost position. The movable guiding members 74 and 76 then oscillate and complete their movement to the position also shown in Fig. 10. The arms 82 then move upward to bend the form W, as shown in Fig. 11, to suecessively fan the sheets as they are being gripped. As the upward movement of the arms 82 is completed, the movable guide members 74 and 76 are lowered to their initial position and the arms 82 are lowered. The trailing edge of the form then has been withdrawn by the arms 82 from the guide members 74 and 76 and as lowering of the arms is completed and the form resumes its substantially flat condition, the trailing edge is guided as shown in Fig. 11 into engagement with and is caught by the rotating rollers 32 and 86. With the grippers 66 clamping the forward ends of the form sheets, the rollers 32 and 86 sever the header and carbons from the form sheets and eject the header and carbons from the left-hand end of the device as seen in Figs. 9 to 12. When the table 64 again moves toward its lower position, the form sheets are released from the grippers 66 andrest on and are again advanced by the travelling bands 20 to the right-hand end of the device. The vertically movable abutment members 28 are retained in their raised position as previously described until the table 64 has completed its downward movement and the horizontally movable latching member 90 for these members has been moved to the right to permit these abutment members 38 to drop. By this time the form sheets have been moved to their ejecting position at the righthand end of the device. From this end of the device they are discharged through the opening 24 provided at this end of the device.

The cycle of operations of the device for a single snap-out form is thus brought to a close with the operative parts in proper position to start another cycle as soon as another form is introduced within the guideway between members 18 and 19 to the travelling bands 20 and is advanced by the travelling bands to a position against the abutment members 38 and to operate and close the first switch 42.

The power for operating the movable members of the device as stated above is obtained from a small motor 25 housed within the casing 16 and mounted in fixed position on the base or platform 14. This motor 25 is constantly rotating when the device is in operation, a snap switch 108 being provided at one side of the casing 16 for starting and stopping the motor. The motor 25 has a pulley 27 on its armature shaft drivingly connected by belt to a larger one 30 on the end of a transverse roller 32, the opposite end of this roller 32 has a small rubber roller 34 which drives a roller 36 mounted directly on the transverse shaft over which travel the spaced bands 20 for advancing the forms through the device. As the load on the motor 25 is very variable and intermittent it has been found desirable to place a heavy fly-wheel 29 thereon at one end as shown in Fig. 2. Connected also directly to the armature shaft of the motor 25 is a speed reducing unit 110 of conventional type having on its output shaft 112 a gear 114. This gear 114 is constantly rotating and drives a gear 116 on the cam shaft 48 at a greatly reduced speed. The one revolution clutch 106 as shown is interposed drivingly between the gear 114 "and the cam shaft 48 so that except when detent 104 is operated by solenoid46' the .cam shaft 48 is not rotated. As this single revolution clutch forms no part of the present 'invention,:further description of its operation is not thought to be necessary. It'may'be stated,

however, that the detent 104 for controlling rotation of the cam shaft '48'is operated by solenoid 46. The solenoid is energized by closing of its circuit and moves the detent to a releasing position. As soon, however, as the solenoid is deenergized the detent 104 is returned to its engaging 1 complete revolution has been effectedf On th s cam shaft are three diiferent cams 72, 80 and 84 secured in fixed angular positions thereon to effect move" ment of their members in their predetermined order. The successive positions of the cams at diiferent points in the cycle of operations is shownin Figs. 9, 10 and 12. One cam 72 raises the table 64 above the level of the travelling bands 20 and retains the table in elevated .position until the severing operation is complete. Cam 72 then returns the table to its lowerposition. Cam 80 at the proper time oscillates'the movable guide members 74 and 76. Cam 84 elevates the arms 82 .to bend the form and withdraw the form from the guide members. 7

To aid in the adjustment of the carriage 40 for the different lengths of form W a scale 122 may be provided on the side of the cover 16. Along this scale operates a pointer 124 secured to and movable with the'carriage 40 on which the abutments 38 are mounted. By operating the crank 62 the carriage 40 may be moved to any adjusted position and its position determined by the position ofthe pointer 124 for diiferent lengths of forms. For convenience a small metal stop 126 also maybe mounted on the case 16 so that by. placing one edge of the form W against this stop and adjusting the carriage 40 until the pointer 124 is in alignment with the opposite edge of the form W the device will be in proper adjustment for that particular length of form.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for separating form sheets from a snap-out assembly comprising, a transverse abutment on said device, traversing means to advance said assembly against said transverse abutment to stop the advancing movement of said assembly, gripping means on said transverse abutment to engage the forward edge of said assembly, means to momentarily bend the intermediate portion of said as- 'sembly, a pair of closely adjacent rotating rollers,-guiding .means to present the trailing edge of said assembly between said rotating rollers whenreleased by said bending means to sever the form sheets from said assembly, whereby one portionof said assembly will be ejected by said rollers, and means to release the forward edge of said assembly from said gripping means, whereby the remaining portions of said assembly will beejected by said traversing means. V

2. A device for separating formsheets from a snap-out assembly comprising, a transverse abutment on said device, traversing means to advance said assembly against said transverse abutment to stop the advancing movement of said assembly, gripping means on said transverse abutment to engage the forward .edge of said assembly, -carn actuated means to momentarily bend the intermediate portion of said assembly, a pair of closely adjacentrotatingrollers, guiding means .to present the trailing edge of said assembly' between said rotating rollers whenxeleased by said bending means and while its forward edge'i's in 8 gripping position to sever the form sheets from said assembly, whereby one portion of said assembly willbe ejected by said rollers, andjmeans'to release the forward edge of said assembly from said gripping ineans, whereby the remaining portions of said assembly Will'bCCjCCtCCi by said traversing means.

3. A device for separating form sheets from a snap-out assembly comprising, an abutment within said device,.

traversing means to advance said assembly against said abutment, gripping means on said abutmentto engage the forward edge of said assembly, cam means to raisesaid assembly into gripping position, means to momentarily bend the intermediate portion of said assembly, a pair of closely adjacent rotating rollers adjacent one end of said device, guiding means topresent the trailing; edge of said assembly between said rotating rollers when released by said bending means and while said assembly is in gripping position to 'sever .theiform sheets from said assembly, whereby one portion of said assembly will be ejected at one .end by said rollers,.and'means torelease the forward.

edge of said assembly from'said gripping means, whereby the remaining portions of said assembly will be ejected. by said traversing means at the opposite end of said device;

4. A device for separating form sheets from a snap-out assembly comprising, anabutment within said device, traversing means to advance said assembly against said abutment, gripping means. therein to engage the forward edge of said assembly, 'a'vertically movable table for said assembly to raise said assembly above said traversing means into gripping engagement against said abutment,

. means to momentarily bend the intermediate portion of said assembly, apair of closely adjacent rotating rollers,

guiding means to present the trailing edge of said assembly between said rotating rollers when released by said bending means and while the forward edge is gripped to sever .the form sheets from said assembly, whereby one portion of said assembly will be ejectedby said rollers, and-means 'to lower saidtable .to again engage the assembly with said traversing means and release the forward .edge of said assembly from said gripping. means, whereby the remaining portions of said assembly will be ejected by'said traversing means.

'5. A device for'separating form sheets froma-snap-out assemblycomprising, a transverse abutment within said device, traversing means'to advance said assembly against said transverse abutment to stop'the advancing movement of said assembly, gripping means on said transverse abutment to engage theforward edge of said assembly while the forward edge'of said assembly is in contact with said abutment, means to momentarily bend the intermediate 7 portion of said lassembly,.a pairof closely adjacent rotating rollers, guiding means to present the trailing edge of said assembly between said rotating rollers when released by said bending means and While-the forward edge is being gripped to severthe form sheets from said assembly, whereby one portion of said assembly -will"be ejected by said rollers, means to release the forward edge of said assembly from said gripping means, and repositionsaid assembly on said traversing means, whereby the remain ing portions of said assembly will beejected by said traversing means. r r

6. Adevice for separating form sheets from a snap-out assembly, traversing means for said assembly, an adjustable abutment within said device adjacent .the traversing means, 'a cam operated table to move said assembly vertically into gripping position against members of said abutment, means to sever said form sheets fromsaid assembly while the forward edge for'said assembly is in its gripped position, said cam lowering said table after the form sheets have been severed to again engage the unsevered portion of said assembly with saidtraversing means, whereby said unsevered' portion will be ejected frornthe device by said traversing means.

7. A devicejfor separatingform sheets from a snap-out assembly, traversing means for said assembly, an 'adjustable abutment within said device adjacent the traversing means, a cam moved table to elevate said assembly into gripping position between said table and members on said abutment, means to force said form sheets in a retrograde direction to sever said form sheets from said assembly while the table is in its elevated position, said cam lowering said table to again engage the unsevered portion of said assembly with said traversing means, whereby said unsevered portion will be ejected from the device by said traversing means.

8. A device for separating form sheets from a snap-out assembly, traversing means for said assembly, an adjustable abutment Within said device adjacent the traversing means, a cam moved table to elevate said assembly into gripping position between said table and members on said abutment, means to sever said form sheets from said assembly while the forward edge of said assembly is in its gripped position, said severing means comprising adjacent rotating rollers engaging and forcing said form sheets in a retrograde direction, said cam lowering said table to again engage the unsevered portion of said assembly with said traversing means, whereby said unsevered portion will be ejected from the device by said traversing means.

9. A device for separating form sheets from a snapout assembly, traversing means for said assembly, an adjustable abutment within said device adjacent the traversing means, a cam movable table to elevate said assembly into gripping position against members on said abutment, rotating rollers engaging the trailing edge of said assembly while the forward edge thereof is in gripping position, said cam lowering said table after said form sheets have been severed to again engage the unsevered portion of said assembly with said traversing means, whereby said unsevered portion will be traversed through the device and ejected from the device at the opposite end of the device from the form sheets.

10. A device for separating form sheets from a snapout assembly, traversing means for said assembly, an adjustable abutment within the device adjacent the traversing means, a cam moved table to elevate said assembly into gripping position between said table and members on said abutment, rotating rollers within said device, means to guide the trailing edge of said assembly into engagement with said rollers to sever said form sheets from said assembly while said forward edge is in its gripped position, said cam lowering said table after said form sheets are severed to again engage the unsevered portion of said assembly with said traversing means, whereby said unsevered portion will be ejected from the device by said traversing means.

11. A device for separating form sheets from a snap-out assembly comprising, traversing means within the device to advance said assembly through said device, a pair of closely adjacent rotating rollers mounted therein, a shaft within said device, driving means for said shaft, cams on said shaft, mechanism actuated by said cams to move said assembly while on said traversing means into gripping position for its forward end, to momentarily bend an intermediate portion of said assembly, to guide the rear edge of said assembly into engagement with said rotating rollers when released by said bending means, and to release the assembly from its gripping position.

12. A device for separating form sheets from a snapout assembly comprising, traversing means within the device to advance said assembly through said device, a pair of closely adjacent rotating rollers mounted therein, a shaft within said device, driving means for said shaft, 2. single rotation clutch in said driving means, cams on said shaft, mechanism actuated by said cams to move said assembly while on said traversing means into gripping position for its forward end, to guide the rear edge of said assembly into engagement with said rotating rollers, to release the assembly from its gripping position, and an electric circuit closed by said assembly for engaging said clutch.

13. A device for separating form sheets from a snapout assembly comprising, traversing means within the device to advance said assembly through said device, a pair of closely adjacent rotating rollers mounted therein, a shaft within said device, driving means for said shaft, gripping means for the forward end of said assembly, cams on said shaft, mechanism actuated by said cams to move said assembly above said traversing means into gripping position, to guide the rear edge of said assembly into engagement with said rotating rollers, to release the assembly from its gripping position, and means to start and stop said cam shaft in accordance with a predetermined cycle.

14. A device for separating form sheets from a snapout assembly comprising, traversing means within said device to advance said assembly through said device, a pair of closely adjacent rotating rollers mounted therein, a shaft within said device, driving means for said shaft, cams on said shaft, mechanism actuated by said cams to move said assembly while on said traversing means into gripping position for its forward end, to momentarily bend the intermediate portion of said assembly, to guide the rear edge of said assembly into engagement with said rotating rollers when released by said bending means, to release the assembly from its gripping position, means to start rotation of said shaft when said assembly is in its gripping position, and means to stop rotation of said shaft after one complete revolution.

15. A device for separating form sheets from a snap-out assembly comprising, traversing means within said device to advance said assembly through said device, a pair of closely adjacent rotating rollers mounted therein, a shaft within said device, driving means for said shaft, a clutch in said driving means, cams on said shaft, mechanism actuated by said cams to move said assembly while on said traversing means into gripping position for its forward end, to guide the rear edge of said assembly into engagement with said rotating rollers, to release the assembly from its gripping position, means controlled by movement of said assembly within the device to start rotation of said shaft, and means to stop rotation of said shaft.

16. A device for separating form sheets from a snap-out assembly comprising, traversing means within said device to advance said assembly through said device, a pair of closely adjacent rotating rollers mounted therein, a shaft within said device, driving means for said shaft, a solenoid operated clutch in said driving means, cams on said shaft, mechanism actuated by said cams to move said assembly while on said traversing means into gripping position for its forward end, to guide the rear edge of said assembly into engagement with said rotating rollers, to release the assembly from its gripping position, means controlled by movement of said assembly within the device to start rotation of said shaft, means to stop rotation of said shaft, a switch controlled by said assembly, a circuit to energize said solenoid and start rotation of said shaft, and a second switch to open said circuit after rotation of said shaft has started.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,158,727 Morrison et a]. May 16, 1939 

